The pharmacokinetics of 16-dehydropregnenolone (16-DHP), a sterols compound isolated from Solanum lyratum Thunb., was investigated in rats following a single intramuscular administration (40 mg/kg). The concentration of 16-DHP in rat plasma was determined by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with UV detection. Levonorgestrel was used as the internal standard (IS). The pharmacokinetic parameters of 16-DHP were derived by non-compartmental method. After a single intramuscular administration, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was (289±25)ng/mL, time to reach C max(tmax) was (0.38±0.14) h, the elimination half-life (t1/2) was (2.5±1.1) h, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the time of the last measurable concentration (AUC(0-1)) was (544±73)ng·h/mL. The results indicated that 16-DHP was absorbed quickly and eliminated rapidly in rats after the intramuscular injection.
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